Garden label



Aug. 21, 1934. H. HAMMITT 1,970,697

GARDEN LABEL Filed May 4, 1935 Fig.1. I [I Patented Aug. 21, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT oi-Ficii 14 Claims.

My invention relates to garden labels.

It has for its object to provide an improved garden label and more particularly such a label of an improved type which is adapted to permit writing directly upon the same and which will v further retain pencil writing in legible condition indefinitely, despite adverse weather conditions, while also permitting ready erasure of the same whenever changes are desired. A further object of my invention is to provide such an improved label of an extremely durable and long-lived, one piece construction which, while having the desired rigidity in the portion which is to be stuck in the ground, also has an improved flexing connection 16 between this portion and the tab portion adapted toact in such manner as to permit the latter portion, when accidentally stepped upon, to be depressed and automatically returned upon release to its normal indicating position without injury to the label. These and other advantages of my invention will, however, more fully appear hereafter.

'In the accompanying drawing, I have shown for purposes of illustration, one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In the drawing:- Figure 1 15a perspective front view of my improved label;

Figure 2 is-a side elevation of the same; '30 Figure 3 is a rear view of the top of the label;

Figure 4 is a section on line 44 of Figure 1, and

A Figure 5 is a transverse section on line 55 of Figure 1.

as In this illustrative construction, the label is in the form of a one piece member, generally indicated at 1 and having a bottom shank portion 2 and atop tab or writing portion 3, and formed of a semi-flexible cellulose nitrate composition heav- 49 ier-than water, such, for example, as celluloid or the like sliced into sheet form, or any other cellulose ester plastic material suitable for the purposes hereinafter described.

. In the construction illustrated, the shank por- 46 tion 2 is tapered as at 5 and pointed as at 6 so as to be adapted to be readily forced into the ground.

Here it is also provided with thin side edges 7, a

longitudinally extending tapered strengthening back rib 8, and corresponding front groove 9 ex- .50 tending longitudinally from end to end of this shank portion. As shown, an improved flexing and resilient joint or connection, hereinafter described, is also provided at 10 between the top of the shank 2 and the lower end of the tab portion,

while the latter as herein ispreferably inclined backward from the top of the shank portion 2 and made substantially wider than the top of the latter, and of such height and general dimensions as to provide adequate writing space above the ground level on the front, and, if desired, also on the rear surface thereof.

Referring more particularly to this flexing joint 10, it will be noted that the rib 8 is provided with an inwardly sloping and rounded upper end 11. Further, it will be observed that this end 11 merges into the'tab 3 around a curved line 12 which is at the top of this end 11 and of the groove 9 in the face of the shank 2 and extends in a transversely disposed are above a straight line connecting the upper ends of the side edges '7. As a result of this construction, it will be noted that the label is not only very strong at the junction of the shank 2 and tab 3, but that the latter may, when bent backward, move freely about this curved line without causing breakage at the junction of the tab and shank. Further, the, structure at this point is also such as to impart resiliency to the tab 3 and accordingly cause the same to return to its normal or inclined indicating position as soon as the pressure thereon is released.

In my improved construction, the tab portion 3, as distinguished from carrying any separate card or holding means or transparent cover therefor, forms the writing portion, 1. e. is adapted to permit the writing to be placed directly upon the surface or surfaces of the tab. While ordinarily celluloid is highly polished or glazed and thus not adapted for writing purposes, I find that by providing my tab 3'with a so called mat surface, generally indicated at 14, it is possible not only to write readily on the tab, but to do so with a pencil, and further that this mat surface is adapted to retain the pencil writing in legible form indefinitely. Further, I find that I with such a mat surface, pencil writing remains clear cut. and legible, despite long exposure to the elements, and that with such a surface, this legibility continues even if the'tab is stepped on, handled carelessly, or partially or completely covered with earth for long periods. A further marked advantage of my improved-label is that even after long use of a given marker, the pencil writing'may be readily removed by simply erasing the same with an ordinary stiff rubber eraser to permit a new marking or a change in the existing marking.

While I may provide only the top tab face or both faces of the tab with such amat surface 1%, I prefer to surface-the whole marker memlabel to be formed from a sheet mat surfaced on both faces, and thus minimize expense.v Further, I find that through the, use of such a mat surface throughout, it is made possible to permit writing over the whole surface thereof, where more than the ordinaryamount of records is desired, some gardeners writing all over the label.

Moreover, I find that with such a mat surface throughout, the label has excellent wearing qualities and produces an attractive effect.

ily heaved out of the ground by frost.

My improved label is free from the deterioration or disintegration due to soil conditions and dampness which results in rusting or' rotting of a metal or wood marker but apparently has no effect on nitrocellulose. Thus, it is possible for the shank or shaft of the label to be entirely buried, in such manner as to expose only the marking tab 3 abovethe ground, surface and remain so for indefinite periods without disintegration. Further, it will be noted that the marking tab is so disposed as to be readily readable when the shank is so buried and, being also of the same material, this tab is likewise free from disintegration. With my improved construction, it is also made possible to eliminate altogether the diificulty and inconvenience incident to the marking or reading of separate marker slips, which have to be removed and marked,. and also run or otherwise become obscure even if covered with a transparent shield. Instead pencil writing is readily applied directly on my improved label. Further, the graphite of pencil writing combines with the mat surface of'the cellulose ester plastic material in such manner as to retain complete legibility for long periods, and whether the soil is damp or dry, or acid or alkaline, or whether the label is in sun or shade. The label is also adapted to withstand abuse, such as rough handling and stepping on, at all normal gardening seasons and although during extreme cold it becomes somewhat brittle, it thereafter also regains its original characteristics as soon as the weather moderates. Due to the construction of the shank, the markers are also not eas- Being heavier than water, they are also not floated away from the plants during spring flood conditions.

While I'have in this application specifically described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it willbe understood that this form of the same has been shown for,

-terial comprising a shank formed to withstand .driving into the ground and an exposed tab portion forming an elongation thereof and having a mat surface for receiving and maintaining i pencil writing legible despite exposure to the elements.

3, A garden label of cellulose ester plastic material comprising a shank formed to withstand driving into the ground and an exposed tab portion forming an elongation thereof and a mat ber 1 therewith, as herein, as this enables the surface on faces of said shank and tab portion penetration of the ground and said tab being inclined relative to said shank and treated to provide a surface for receiving pencil writing and maintaining the same legible and erasable despite exposure to the elements.

6. A garden label comprising a one piece member having a shank having means for penetrating the ground and an exposed tab portion of cellulose ester plastic material and forming an elongation of said shank wider than the latter and at an angle thereto and having a mat surface.

I. A garden label of cellulose ester plastic material heavier than water and comprising a shank having one and formed to be forced endwise into the ground and a resiliently connected tab portion forming an elongation of the opposite end thereof and having a surface treated to receive and maintain pencil writing legible despite exposure to the elements.

8. A garden label having a shank having at its lower end means for facilitating endwise penetration into the ground, and an upper laterally extending substantially wider tab portion forming an elongation of the opposite shank end and having the surface of said portion treated to receive and maintain pencil writing legible despite extreated to receive and maintain pencil writing legible despite exposure to the elements.

10. A garden label comprising a longitudinally grooved shank and an inclined tab portion thereon and a flexing connection between the shank groove and said tab portion for returning the latter toward its normal inclined relation when flexed about said connection, said shank, tab portion and flexing connection being integral and formed of sheet material.

11. A garden label having a shank provided with a front groove and a back rib formed thereby and extending longitudinally thereof, an inclined tab portion at the upper end of said shank, and a spring joint between said rib and tab portion for returning the latter toward its normal lot inclined relation when flexed about said spring joint.

12. A garden label having a shank provided.

with a front groove and a back rib extending longitudinally thereof, an inclined tab portion at the upper end of said shank, and a joint between said shank and tab portion comprising a sloping end portion on said grooved rib merging into said tab portion on a line adjacent the upper extremity of said shank portion.

13. A garden label having a shank provided with a front groove and a back rib extending longitudinally thereof, an inclined tab portion at the upper endof said shank, and a flexing joint between 581d shank and tab portion comprising tudinally thereof, an inclined tab portion' at the upper end of said shank, and a flexing joint between said shank and tab portion comprising a sloping rounded end portion on said groove and rib merging into said tab portion on a curved line extending above the upper extremity of said shank portion.

HOWARD HAMMITI. 

